Vertical holds promise
INDOOR SYSTEM PAYS OFF AS FARM SELLS OUT OF ITS WATERCRESS CROP IN HOURS
WATERCRESS grown on one of Anglesey’s first vertical farms was quickly snapped up by customers, selling out in hours.
It was produced at Hooton’s Homegrown, a fruit and veg operation with its own farm shop near Brynsiencyn.
James Hooton and his family have used hydroponics to cultivate crops for many years but this summer they signed up to a project to install a vertical growing system.
Indoor vertical farms have been heralded as the next frontier of food production as they enable year-round growing conditions to be tightly controlled.
“I’ve been impressed with the ease of using this system,” said James.
“We plan further trials by growing other crops such as pea shoots and various herbs.”
James was one of three commercial growers in Gwynedd and Anglesey involved in Tech Tyfu, a vertical farming pilot scheme run by social enterprise Menter Môn.
Project leader Luke Tyler said production systems were often the most straightforward aspect of getting local produce to market.
The real challenge is developing the supply chains. “So that every partner along the way makes a profit – and that fresh produce reaches the customer in excellent condition,” he said.
“The popularity of Anglesey’s watercress at least proves there is great demand for fresh, local food.”
In hydroponic systems, nutrientrich solutions are pumped to the plant crop, enabling efficient growth without soil.
Hooton’s Homegrown used the technique for strawberries its pick-your-own site, its collaboration with
Tyfu has opened doors.
“We have established a new route to market with a local fresh produce distributor,” said James.
“It was thoroughly rewarding to see our rhubarb reaching various local restaurants.” has long producing at but Tech new
Watercress was chosen for the Tech Tyfu trial on Anglesey due to the amount of vitamins and minerals it contains.
Gram for gram, the crop contains more calcium than milk, more folate than bananas, more Vitamin C than oranges and more Vitamin E than broccoli. Historically it was often the only green vegetable available to help protect people against winter colds and flu.
“It is a little green wonder-leaf!” said James.
“With the winter months ahead, its nutritional content is sure to appeal to our customers – and the vertical farm gives us the ability to produce this wonder food all year round.”
As well as watercress, Tech Tyfu has identified other local opportunities for specialist crops such as pea shoots and a range of microgreens.
Luke estimates the market just for pea shoots is worth about £40,00050,000 in Gwynedd and Anglesey alone.
“We have already had prominent local chefs asking where they can purchase local pea shoots,” he added.